Accounting, MBA
The Accounting major helps students acquire the skills to measure and communicate an organization’s economic activities. Accounting is the formal system of collecting, organizing, and reporting the financial data used to make economic decisions. The data shed light on current financial status and liquidity, as well as past profitability and funds-generating capability. Its users include corporate shareholders, lenders, management, employees, research organizations, and taxing and regulatory agencies.
Many different types of economic decisions require accounting data. One major use of accounting data is to inform outsiders (interested people who do not have direct access to corporate records) of the firm’s economic status and progress. By contrast, the firm’s management requires data that will aid in controlling operations and evaluating performance. Outside agencies often collect accounting data for tax collection and other social and economic policy purposes.
The accounting major at the Wharton School focuses on the user of accounting data. Most courses in the department stress concepts, procedures and applications with a view to the student understanding how accounting information is generated and its reliability in analysis. Most accounting majors are preparing for careers in which accounting data are used extensively. The department’s flexible curriculum also allows interested students to take the required courses toward certification as a CPA (certified public accountant) or CMA (chartered management accountant). As the specific course requirements for these certificates vary from state to state and usually exceed the minimum requirements for a Wharton MBA major, students who seek professional certification should seek the advice of the Accounting Department adviser as early as possible to plan their programs.
For more information: https://accounting.wharton.upenn.edu/programs/mba/
Curriculum
A minimum of 19 course units is required for graduation.
Major electives taken on a pass/fail basis cannot be counted toward the Accounting major.
| Code | Title | Course Units |
|---|---|---|
| Accounting Major Requirements | ||
| Select 4 course units from the following: * | 4 | |
| Cost Management | ||
| Financial Reporting and Business Analysis | ||
| Accounting for Mergers, Acquisitions and Complex Financial Structures | ||
| Financial Disclosure Analytics | ||
| Accounting for Entrepreneurs | ||
| Taxes and Business Strategy | ||
| Valuation | ||
| Electives | ||
| Select 5.5 course units of electives | 5.5 | |
| MBA Core Requirements | 9.5 | |
| Total Course Units | 19 | |
- *
The core accounting courses do not count towards the major, but are prerequisites for the other courses in the department.
MBA Core Requirements
| Code | Title | Course Units |
|---|---|---|
| Accounting | ||
| Select one of the following: | 0.5-1 | |
| Fundamentals of Financial Accounting | ||
| Fundamentals of Financial and Managerial Accounting | ||
| Finance 1 | ||
| Corporate Finance | ||
| Select one of the following: | 0.5-1 | |
| Corporate Finance | ||
| Corporate Finance (Half CU) | ||
| Macroeconomics | ||
| Select one of the following: | 0.5-1 | |
| Macroeconomics and the Global Economic Environment | ||
| Macroeconomics and The Global Economic Environment (Half CU) | ||
| Legal Studies | ||
| LGST 6110 | Responsibility in Global Management | 0.5 |
| or LGST 6120 | Responsibility in Business | |
| or LGST 6130 | Business, Social Responsibility, and the Environment | |
| Microeconomics | ||
| BEPP 6110 | Microeconomics for Managers: Foundations | 0.5 |
| BEPP 6120 | Microeconomics for Managers: Advanced Applications | 0.5 |
| Management | ||
| MGMT 6100 | Foundations of Teamwork and Leadership | 0.5 |
| MGMT 6110 | Managing Established Enterprises | 1 |
| or MGMT 6120 | Management of Emerging Enterprises | |
| Marketing | ||
| MKTG 6110 | Marketing Management | 0.5 |
| MKTG 6120 | Dynamic Marketing Strategy | 0.5 |
| or MKTG 6130 | Strategic Marketing Simulation | |
| OIDD | ||
| Select one unit of the following: | 0.5-1 | |
| Quality and Productivity | ||
| Business Analytics | ||
| Online Business Models and the Information-Based Firm | ||
| Innovation | ||
| Operations Strategy | ||
| Enabling Technologies | ||
| Managerial Decision Making | ||
| Statistics | ||
| STAT 6130 | Regression Analysis for Business 2 | 1 |
| or STAT 6210 | Accelerated Regression Analysis for Business | |
| Management Communication | ||
| Select one of the following options: | 0.5 | |
| Option 1 | ||
| Management Communication | ||
| Advanced Persuasive Speaking | ||
or WHCP 6150 | Communication Challenges for Entrepreneurs | |
or WHCP 6240 | Persuasive Writing for Business Leaders | |
| Option 2 | ||
| Management Communication | ||
or WHCP 6180 | Entrepreneurial Communication | |
| Total Course Units | 9.5 | |
The degree and major requirements displayed are intended as a guide for students entering in the Fall of 2024 and later. Students should consult with their academic program regarding final certifications and requirements for graduation.